Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has started his own major movie studio with a $2 billion fund. Called Zuck and Friends Studios (ZAF Studios), the studio has an ambitious 20 picture slate over the next 6 years.
The distribution model will include traditional theatre viewing for a standard window time, then will be on sale directly through Facebook for $0.99 to $2.99. In will also be bundled with Internet.org Basic Internet, a free internet service available in selected developing nations.
Zuckerberg has hired several Hollywood big wigs to operate the studio. The 31-year-old entrepreneur told Variety, “We have the best people in place to make the best movies possible. We are looking for growth over revenue and the money will come later.
“It’s been a childhood dream to win an Oscar. It’s on my list of new things to accomplish this year. With my money I think I can win a record amount of Oscars. I plan on directing one of the films and finally, I can put out an accurate film about the founding of Facebook.
“I also spent the past three years writing a screenplay about a kid who uploads his consciousness to the internet and fights against terrorists and bad governments. It’s a big budget film and I have the money to produce it. The lead role is down to Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, and Leonardo DiCaprio. They’ll all be great, it’s just a matter of speaking to their agents. I’m directing this one for sure. It’s my vision and I’m super excited.”
The studios first released film will be about a man who disconnects from the grid to live in the wilderness. While struggling to survive, the lead character stumbles upon an ancient civilization where he gradually becomes king by using his general knowledge of technology and science to help save the local’s lives. The power eventually goes to his head and has to fight for his own life. The untitled picture is staring Mark Wahlberg and begins shooting in February.
Zuckerberg also wants content for his virtual reality project, Oculus Rift. “We want immersive stories for our virtual reality headset and I have a bunch of ideas and rather not deal with the inefficiencies of the Hollywood system. We know we can do it faster, lean from our mistakes, and get even better content out.
We want to have a bunch of preloaded movies and TV shows on the headset when they go on sale.”
The massive new studio is being built in North Hollywood, CA.
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